Wire wrapping device



y 5 1967 H. T. JOHNSTON, JR 3,33

WIRE WRAPPING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1965 I NVENTOR HOWARD T. JOHNSTON JR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,332,632 WIRE WRAPPING DEVICE Howard T. Johnston, Jr., Poughkeepsie, N.Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 25, 1965, Ser. No. 427,775 6 Claims. (Cl. 2427) This invention relates to wire wrapping devices, and more particularly to devices which operate to wrap the end portion of a wire about a terminal without overlapping turns.

It is customary practice to wind the end portion of a wire on a terminal so as to form an electrical connection. The terminal is usually of a rectangular shape in cross section and the wire is wound about it in uniform helical turns. Patent 2,759,166, issued August 14, 1956, to R. F. Mallina, shows apparatus for winding turns on such a terminal and, as indicated by this patent, portions of the wire and the terminal at the edges of the latter are deformed during the winding operation. In the deforming of these portions there are set up in the wire and the terminal stresses which tend to hold the wire locked in place. Other wire wnapping devices have been developed for forcing the wire about a terminal with a swa gin g action so that a continuous gas tight contact is obtained between them. Many of these devices have been designed to be supported manually during winding operations. In order to obtain a uniform wrapping of turns with each in contact with the terminal, it is necessary that the operator permit the device to move outwardly relative to the terminal at a rate varying with the speed of rotation and the diameter of the wire. When a comparatively heavy wire is used in making the connection, the operator can sense the outward push on the device by the wire as the turns are formed. By permitting the device to move outwardly in response to this push, a uniform wrapping of turns may be obtained.

It is sometimes desirable that a wire of very small gauge be connected to terminals for use in circuits. As the wire gauge decreases, it becomes more difi'icult to move the wrapping device so that the turns are formed uniformly on the terminal without overlapping. By providing means which positively move the wire wrapping tool outwardly relative to the terminal at such a rate that the turns are placed on the terminal in the desired manner, any operator can form a good connection without special training. This can be done even though the wire used is of a very small gauge.

At times it is necessary that several connections be made to the same terminal and the wire turns for each connection must be formed directly upon the terminal in order to obtain the desired stresses which hold the wire against unwrapping. By providing means which are adjustable to locate the wire wrapping tool at any one of several positions on a terminal, it is possible to obtain separate connections at different points along its length.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved device for wrapping wire in helical turns about a terminal to form an electrical connection.

Another object is to provide an improved wire wrapping device having means for moving a wire wrapping 3,332,632 Patented July 25, 1967 portion of the device relative to a terminal so that each turn of wire is wrapped uniformly thereon.

Yet another object is to provide an improved wire wrapping device having means which are adjustable for locating the device on a terminal at any one of a plurality of spaced points so that wire may be wrapped on different portions of its length.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the improved wire wrapping device.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the wire wrapping device from its working end.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a terminal having turns of wire wrapped thereon.

As shown in the drawings, the improved wire wrapping device comprises a cylindrical casing 2 having a reduced end portion 4 through which a wire wrapping tool or bit 6 extends to a point substantially flush with the end of the portion 4. A key 8 on the bit 6 engages a slot 10 in the reduced end portion so that the bit is connected to the casing 2 for rotation therewith but is permitted to move longitudinally relative thereto. Extending axially through the bit 6 is a bore '12 adapted to receive a terminal 14 about which a wire is to be wrapped. Also received in the bore 12 is a pin 16 forming an integral part of a supporting element 18 by which the device is manually held in position. The pin 16 extends to some point short of the front end of the bit 6 and limits the movement of the terminal 14 into the bore 12.

Pin 16 extends forwardly from an end portion 20 of a shaft-like extension 22 of the supporting element 18. The portion 20 is somewhat largerin cross,section than the pin 16 but is received within the bor24ofcasing 2 with substantial clearance between them; Surrounding the portion 20 and an adjacent end portion of" the bit 6 is a sleeveshaped member 26 carrying pins 28 which extend into elongated grooves 30 in opposite sides of the portion 20. The pins 28 act within the grooves 30 to hold the sleeve member 26 and the portion 20 against relative rotation but permit relative longitudinal movement. At the forward end of the sleeve member 26 is a portion 32 slidably received within the bore 24, and formed in the outer surface of the sleeve member rearwardly of the portion 32 are helical threads 36. Threaded into an opening in the side of the casing 2 is a button 38 having its inner end engaging the threads 36 so that rotation of the casing 2 relative to the sleeve member 26 causes the latter to move longitudinally. Formed on the inner surface of the sleeve member 26 along its forward portion are threads 40 which are engaged by a small projecting element 4-2 on the bit 6. Threads 40 are formed in a direction opposite that of the threads 36 so that a rotation of the bit 6 with the sleeve 2 results in a longitudinal movement of the bit in a direction opposite that of the sleeve 26. The pitch of the threads 36 and 40 are also made slightly different to effect a movement of the bit outwardly or rearwardly relative to the terminal 14 when the bit and easing 2 are rotated in a direction to wind wire on the terminal. A rotation of the casing in the opposite direction causes the bit to move longitudinally toward the forward end of the reduced portion 4 while the sleeve 26 moves rearwardly. It will be appreciated that the movement of the bit relative to the terminal is equal to the difference between the movements of the sleeve 26 and the bit. This being so, the pitch of the threads 36 and 40 may be large and yet the movement of the bit may be small if the difference in the pitch between these threads is small.

Formed in the outer surface of the bit at its forward end is a longitudinal slot or recess 42 into which the stripped end of a wire 44 is inserted. With the end of the wire in this slot and the front end of the bit in a position adjacent the end of the reduced portion 4, the tool is placed upon the terminal 14 so the latter extends into the bore 12 to a position in which it engages the pin 16, While the operator holds the wire wrapping device in this position, the casing 2 is rotated in the direction which causes the bit 6 to move outwardly relative to the terminal. During this time, the stripped end portion of the wire is drawn from the slot 42 and wrapped about the terminal 14. After wrapping a wire on a terminal, the operator may remove the device from the terminal and rotate the casing 2 in the opposite direction until the bit 6 is again adjacent the forward end of the reduced portion 4. The stripped end of another wire may then be placed in the slot 42 for wrapping about another terminal. As shown in the drawing, the casing 2 is rotated manually while the device is supported by means of the element 18 but it will be appreciated that any suitable power means may be employed, if desired, for rotating the casing and bit.

In order that more than one wire may be wrapped on a single terminal at different points along its length, there are provided in the shaft portion 22 spaced annular grooves 46. Attached to the side of the casing 2 is a spring element 48 carrying a pin 50 which may be positioned in any one of the grooves 46 by manually flexing the spring element and moving the shaft 22 relative to the casing 2 until the desired groove 46 is under the pin 50. It will be seen that longitudinal movement of the shaft 22 relative to the casing results in a shifting of the forward end of pin 16 to difierent positions relative to the forward end of the reduced portion 4. With the pin 50 in the forward groove 46, as shown, the pin 16 permits the terminal 14 to move into the bore 12 far enough to receive turns of wire near its base. Positioning the pin 50 in one of the other annular grooves causes the end of pin 16 to move forwardly so that turns of wire are placed on the terminal nearer its outer end". p 7

To wind wireof acertain gauge, it is only necessary to use in thei wrappirig idevice a sleeve 26 whose threads 36 and 40 haveafiflifierence in pitch equal to the wire gauge. If it is desiredto wind wire of a different gauge, the button 38 is disengaged from the threads 36 and then the pin 50 is removed from the groove 46 so that the shaft 22 and the pin 16 may be withdrawn from the casing. The sleeve 26 and the bit may also be removed through the open end of the casing and separated from each other so that the sleeve may be replaced by another having a difference in pitch between its threads equal to the gauge of the new wire.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for wrapping wire about a terminal comprising, in combination,

a supporting element having a forwardly extending pinlike portion,

a casing rotatably mounted on said supporting element and extending forwardly to a point beyond the end of said pin-like portion,

a tubular wire wrapping bit loosely receiving said pinlike portion and extending forwardly to a point adjacent the forward end of said casing,

a recess in said bit at its forward end for receiving the stripped end of a wire to be wrapped on said terminal,

said tubular bit permitting said terminal to be received therein to a point at which it engages the forward end of said pin-like portion,

means connecting said bit to said casing for rotation therewith but permitting it to move longitudinally relative thereto,

a sleeve-shaped member received within said casing and surrounding adjacent portions of said supporting element and said 'bit,

means for holding said sleeve-shaped member against rotation relative to said supporting element but permitting it to move longitudinally relative thereto,

first threads formed in a helical fashion about the outer surface of said sleeve-shaped member,

means fixed to said casing and engaging said first threads, t

second threads formed in a helical fashion about the inner surface of said sleeve-shaped member,

and means fixed to said bit and engaging said second threads,

said firs-t and second threads being formed in a manner to effect movement of said bit rearwardly relative to said terminal when it is rotated in a direction to wrap wire thereon.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said first and second threads are formed in opposite directions and with a slight ditference in pitch so that rotation of said casing effects longitudinal movement of said sleeve-shaped memher and said bit in opposite directions relative to said casing.

3. The device of claim 2 in which the difference in pitch between said first and second threads is such as to effect movement of said bit outwardly relative to said terminal while the latter engages the end of said pin-like portion and said bit is rotated in a direction to wrap wire on said terminal.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said casing is movable longitudinally to different positions on said supporting element,

and means for releasably locking said casing in any one of predetermined positions on said supporting element.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said locking means comprises annular grooves in said supporting element,

a pin slidably engageable with any one of said grooves,

and a spring element connecting said pin to said casing, said spring element yielding holding said pin in one of said grooves and being manually operable for withdrawing said pin therefrom.

6. A device for wrapping wire about a terminal comprising, in combination,

a supporting element having a forwardly extending pin-like portion,

a casing rotatably mounted on said supporting element and extending forwardly to a point beyond the end of said pin-like portion,

a tubular wire wrapping bit loosely receiving said pinlike portion and extending forwardly to a point adjacent the forward end of said casing,

a recess in said bit at its forward end for receiving the stripped end of a wire to be wrapped on said terminal,

said tubular bit permitting said terminal to be received therein to a point at which it engages the forward end of said pin-like portion,

means connecting said bit to said casing for rotation therewith but permitting it to move longitudinally relative thereto,

means operating during rotation of said casing and said bit in a direction to wrap wire on said terminal for moving said bit rearwardly relative to said pin like portion, comprising a sleeve-shaped member received within said casing and surrounding adjacent portions of said supporting element and said wrapping bit,

means for holding said sleeve-shaped member against rotation relative to said supporting element by permitting it to move longitudinally relative thereto,

and separate means threadedly connecting said casing and said bit to said sleeve-shaped member and operating on rotation of said casing and said bit relative to said supporting element for effecting longitudinal movement of said sleeve-shaped member and said bit in opposite directions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Beaulieu et al. 140-124 X Shaft 242-7 Rayburn 29155.55 Emberson et a1. 242--7 Allen 242-7 FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

B. S. TAYLOR, Examiner. 

6. A DEVICE FOR WRAPPING WIRE ABOUT A TERMINAL COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORTING ELEMENT HAVING A FORWARDLY EXTENDING PIN-LIKE PORTION, A CASING ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING ELEMENT AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY TO A POINT BEYOND THE END OF SAID PIN-LIKE PORTION, A TUBULAR WIRE WRAPPING BIT LOOSELY RECEIVING SAID PINLIKE PORTION AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY TO A POINT ADJACENT THE FORWARD END OF SAID CASING, A RECESS IN SAID BIT AT ITS FORWARD END FOR RECEIVING THE STRIPPED END OF A WIRE TO BE WRAPPED ON SAID TERMINAL, SAID TUBULAR BIT PERMITTING SAID TERMINAL TO BE RECEIVED THEREIN TO A POINT AT WHICH IT ENGAGES THE FORWARD END OF SAID PIN-LIKE PORTION, MEANS CONNECTING SAID BIT TO SAID CASING FOR ROTATION THEREWITH BUT PERMITTING IT TO MOVE LONGITUDINALLY RELATIVE THERETO, MEANS OPERATING DURING ROTATION OF SAID CASING AND SAID BIT IN A DIRECTION TO WRAP WIRE ON SAID TERMINAL FOR MOVING SAID BIT REARWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID PINLIKE PORTION, COMPRISING A SLEEVE-SHAPED MEMBER RECEIVED WITHIN SAID CASING AND SURROUNDING ADJACENT PORTIONS OF SAID SUPPORTING ELEMENT AND SAID WRAPPING BIT, MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID SLEEVE-SHAPED MEMBER AGAINST ROTATION RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORTING ELEMENT BY PERMITTING IT TO MOVE LONGITUDINALLY RELATIVE THERETO, AND SEPARATE MEANS THREADEDLY CONNECTING SAID CASING AND SAID BIT TO SAID SLEEVE-SHAPED MEMBER AND OPERATING ON ROTATION OF SAID CASING AND SAID BIT RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORTING ELEMENT FOR EFFECTING LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SLEEVE-SHAPED MEMBER AND SAID BIT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. 